What was your largest library fine ever?

So I haven’t, it turns out, taken a book out of the library since 2008. At least that’s according to my visit to the library this weekend, where they scanned my card and puzzled over it because it seemed so far-fetched.

But it’s probably not.

Back when my kids were small and I was taking out piles of children’s books each week, I once had a fine of $35. After that, I tried to be better about getting my books back in a timely fashion.

But somewhere around, well, 2008 I guess, I was late with another pile of books. And then I built up my fine in my mind to be somewhere around $35 — or even more.

Afraid of the library, I started buying all my books at the bookstore. I reasoned that I like to give them away when I’m done, anyway.

On a trip to the Adirondack’s this weekend, I realized I’d forgotten to bring the two books I was reading — both of which I’d bought from Amazon. So I went to the library, where, by the way, you can use your Schenectady County library card.

The librarian said I had an $8 fine. Did you know that she asked?

Sort of, I said. I didn’t know how much it was. It’s been a while.

She looked at the computer again and said. Hmmm, 2008. She said to settle it with the library at home, which I think I will do. And maybe I’ll even start visiting again.

I’m surprised…Albany Public Library caps fines at $5. They’ve had a cap for years. I confess, bless me, Father, I’ve had to pay that a few times, most recently when I misplaced a CD set of German language instruction (wanted to brush up my conversational German.) I realized it was NOT a CD one plays, rather you install it in your computer. I tried half dozen times, forgot about it till they sent me an email it was overdue. My usual computer guru is unavailable. I’ve had to pay to REPLACE items I’ve lost but never paid more than $5 at any local library. At SUNY, years ago, fines could mount up if your book was recalled. I was always careful about that. I think it was $2/day regardless of your status. A lofty Ph.D full professor paid the same as a lowly freshman!

In eighth grade, I checked out a bunch of books (maybe five) for my first “research” paper. I returned them after finishing the paper, months later. My fine was in excess of $25…I had to repay my dad over the course of months, and he has NEVER let me forget it. Seriously, at Christmas last year (which I hosted in my house), he saw a library book and said, “This isn’t overdue, is it? Do you remember when–” YES, I remember! Mea culpa! May god someday forgive me!

I wish there was a cap on fines. Now that I’ve got very little kids, I find it’s harder to get to the library, both to take out adult books and to return them. In fact I have a book at home right now that was due last week…oops. No problem getting out & returning kid books, though! They have an amazing selection and my kids love the new children’s section.

I think I once had to pay to replace a book i misplaced ( probably around $20), I hate that most library’s don’t have the card in the back of the book but provide a receipt like slip stating when books are due back. That paper always vanishes. I wish I liked ebooks because when you borrow them from the library – you can’t keep them past the due date ( unless you renew it).

I had to pay to replace one of the Game of Thrones books last year. It got wet. And when I returned it I was told that it was ruined and unreadable.
I paid for it, around $15, and they never even gave me the book like they said they were going to.

I had to replace a children’s book due to a little incident with our lovely Lina-dog. $7.95. However, there was a period of a couple of years when I joked that the new wind could be named after me because every visit was a fine of a dollar here, a dollar there….

Most public libraries have online access to your library card account-you can view what is checked out and renew items, if needed. You can also sign up for email notification of nearing due dates. I’m not saying this entirely prevents overdue fines (at least not in our house), but is worth asking about this option at your library.

Well, I am not ashamed to admit that one time I owed over $65.00. That included payment for a lost item. I pay overdue fines all the time, but I always return the items in good shape and if I know someone else is in line for the item, I’ll return whether I’m finished or not. The library is one of our most wonderful resources in our community. I’m more than happy to pay overdue fines to help support it financially. If I had to buy books, dvds, etc. I wouldn’t enjoy even a fraction of what I can access with no cost from the library. Also….has anyone else checked out the summer reading program for grownups this summer? All the libraries are doing it. And you can win prizes! Grown-up prizes like gift cards to restaurants or Amazon. Awesome!

@Hope: If you use the receipt slip as your bookmark, it not only doesn’t disappear, it reminds you of the due date every time you open the book and reminds you again when you finish the book. Now that’s handy!

We just moved to East Greenbush and I have to say I LOVE that library. Taking a break from my Kindle and Nook just because I love browsing through the shelves. Also love their CDs. Like getting the e-mail reminders when something is due.

My largest fine – which I disputed and won! – was $22. So, since I didn’t pay it, guess it doesn’t really count as a fine. I’ve maybe paid a couple of bucks here and there over the years.

I love being able to download library books onto my Nook from my computer, and not having to worry about fines at all. It’s a phenomenal library service. While reading the comments, though, I found myself heartened by all the admissions of being fined- that means that folks are still reading books and magazines. Thank goodness that not everyone is being swallowed up by video games.